The two leading candidates in Saturday’s presidential election have signed another peace accord in Abuja, promising to accept the outcome of “free, fair and credible elections”.
The accord, initiated by the National Peace Committee, was signed Thursday by President Goodluck Jonathan, the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and his main challenger, Muhammadu Buhari of the opposition All Progressives Congress.
“We call on INEC and all security agencies to ensure strict adherence to their constitutional roles,” Messrs Buhari and Jonathan said in a joint statement released after the agreement signing ceremony. “We also pledge to respect the outcome of free, fair and credible elections.”
The agreement, just like the one they signed on January 14, contained an undertaking by the parties to avoid actions that could promote violence during and after the polls.”
Now that the campaigns have come to an end, we meet today to renew our pledge for peaceful elections,” the statement said. “We therefore call on all fellow citizens of our dear country, and our supporters, to refrain from violence or any acts that may in any way jeopardise our collective vision of a free, fair and credible election.”
